Compassion (Photo credit: elycefeliz)
“Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity.” — Albert Camus
Generosity (Photo credit: Lawrence OP)
(Another quote that sounds funny, presumably because there is no real context to it. It definitely sounds like he doesn’t like “charity”, which is a little strange because that does require at least a modicum of generosity. Maybe he objects to a lot of the formality of charity, as opposed to simple generosity. There are arguments that the reasons for giving to charities aren’t always altruistic. Things like; religious obligation, tax benefits and ego issues: Hey, look at me. I gave this much to so and so, and this much to so and so, etc. But, even the act of generosity can be viewed as less than altruistic. “Cast our bread upon the waters, and it will come back to us tenfold”, which apparently is a misquoting of the Bible. Giving and being kind is always a good thing, in my opinion, and the idea/belief that the universe is better off for it gives us those warm and fuzzy feelings. But, I guess it’s a matter of expectation. If you fully expect that your giving is going to result in your getting – tenfold, no less – then that act of giving/generosity is based on a kind of greed. Many people give some pretty pricey gifts with the expectation that they will soon/eventually receive expensive gifts in kind. To be truly generous you have to be able to give with no expectation of getting something in return. Simple and compassionate acts of kindness, and simple gifts, would seem to be more in the spirit of true generosity. Be well and do good, friends.) — YUR
http://bobyewchuk.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/generosity-coefficient/
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It sounds like Camus is saying that Charity cannot be bought and like you said, if you expect something back that the act is based on greed
Ahh! The lovely CrazyBagLady has graced my humble blog! Great hearing from you, CBL! — YUR 🙂
A very fine distinction between two closely related terms! Yes, Uncle Rave, Camus thought more highly of “generosity” (a habit of contributing) than of “charity” (a conspicuous act of giving to the poor).